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Re: ADD and Depression, how to tell the difference...

Posted by dj on October 21, 1999, at 23:32:52

In reply to Re: ADD and Depression, how to tell the difference..., posted by Noa on October 21, 1999, at 18:30:13

I agree with Noat that many of the symptoms of depression and anxiety overlap as they may do for ADHD. A great site called Wings of Madness
(http://www.wingofmadness.com/feel.htm)
has the following list that various folks have contributed to about their experience of depression and it is bang on!! So here it is:

What Does Depression Feel Like?

"It was not really alarming at first, since the change was subtle, but I did notice that my surroundings took on a different tone at certain times: the shadows of nightfall seemed more somber, my mornings were less buoyant, walks in the woods became less zestful, and there was a moment during my working hours in the late afternoon when a kind of panic and anxiety overtook me..." - William Styron, Darkness Visible

Sometimes the Depression Self-Screening Test is just too clinical, and the symptoms don't really "click" with you. Some of the criteria are general, and if you're suffering from depression, specifics are easier to understand. I know that I might not have diagnosed myself with depression just on the basis of those symptoms. I had no change in appetite, and no sleep problems (waking up was what was difficult). Below are some un-clinical symptoms.

How It May Feel...

•Things just seem "off" or "wrong."
•You don't feel hopeful or happy about anything in your life.
•You're crying a lot, either at nothing, or something that normally would be insignificant. •You feel like you're moving (and thinking) in slow motion.
•Getting up in the morning requires a lot of effort.
•Carrying on a normal conversation is a struggle. You can't seem to express yourself. •Smiling feels stiff and awkward. It's like your smiling muscles are frozen.
•It seems like there's a glass wall between you and the rest of the world.
•You're forgetful, and it's very difficult to concentrate on anything.
•You're anxious and worried a lot.
•You have recurring thoughts of death and/or suicidal impulses.
•You have a feeling of impending doom - you think something bad is going to happen, although you may not be sure what.
•In your perception of the world around you, it's always cloudy. Even on sunny days, it seems cloudy and gray.
•You feel as though you're drowning or suffocating.
•You're agitated, jumpy and and anxious much of the time.
•Your senses seem dulled; food tastes bland and uninteresting, music doesn't seem to affect you, you don't bother smelling flowers anymore.
•Incessantly and uncontrollably into your mind comes the memory of every failure, every bad or uncomfortable experience, interview or date, like a torrent of negativity.

How It May Affect Your Life...

•Your place is a mess; laundry and dishes are piled up, mail is unopened, etc. (Assuming you usually stay on top of these things).
•You've been making excuses to friends why you can't get together with them, or you're telling them you're "just too tired."
•You've really let yourself go - you're wearing clothes that make you look dumpy, you've stopped exercising, you're not shaving unless it's absolutely necessary.
•You're wearing mostly dark colors.
•You're putting off things that need to be done: your car registration, taking that book back to the library, buying a birthday present for someone.
•You can't remember the last time you laughed a real laugh.
•You don't feel like you can handle your job anymore, even though nothing has changed so far as increased workload or responsibility. •You've been to the doctor a lot recently, for things like headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, but the doctor can't find anything wrong. Or you have convinced yourself you have a life-threatening illness - AIDS or cancer or a tumor.
•You wake up in the middle of the night, and can't go back to sleep. During the day you sleep a lot to escape from your life.
•It takes you a whole weekend to do chores that used to only occupy a morning.
•Since you've lost interest in things you used to enjoy doing, you try a lot of different activities in the hopes that you can find something to occupy your time.
•You have no ability to imagine or conceive of your life even a few days ahead - no plans, no hopes. You can't even be sure you'll still be here.
•You wear the same clothes a few days in a row - choosing new ones is too much effort.
•You lose things, you lose track of things and can't always remember what day it is.
•You've pretty much stopped eating, or caring what you eat and whether it tastes good.
•On the flip side, you may be eating all the time because you're bored and hope that food will somehow satisfy the vacant feeling you have.
•You've lost interest in sex or even physical affection. Hugging someone doesn't feel any different from leaning against a wall.
•You're reading escapist books (fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery) with little effort, but anything more demanding mentally (the classics, reading for school) is too much effort.
•You're avoiding talking to anyone to whom you have an obligation (your boss, friends who you're ignoring).
•You're watching TV constantly - lying on the couch or on/in your bed flicking the remote seems to be the most effort you can deal with.
•You hope you don't run into anyone you know while you're out. Not only is maintaining a normal conversation difficult, but you are sure they'll notice something is wrong with you.


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